Originally Posted by
Boo
I don't actually test the pieces with it - but it's just the kind of hazard people wearing jewellery at work etc. will have to face and their jewellery and clothes withstand - so I just try and imagine if the piece would withstand it. It's just one of my own personal mental checks when doing work.
I also tend to leave one join un-closed too - if someone really does get their jewellery trapped in a car door or piece of machinery, you want the jewellery to break before their neck does. I'm uneasy with the idea of entirely soldered links in a piece. Longevity is one thing, safety needs to be considered too.
If you used a book instruction, was the design made in silver - most wire patterns (other than wrapping) will usually specify half hard Sterling, but copper is much softer, you need to think of it like dead soft silver in designs and when following instructions - and take measures to harden accordingly.
Just make a test link for yourself - just like the ones in the design, if you can open it yourself by pulling on it lengthwise, as though it were trapped in something, does it come open pretty easily? I'm sure you'll know when handling the piece if it's likely to withstand wear.
And don't forget, open links can pull threads, snag in hair and scratch your neck if you've not closed them really neatly. So try wearing it and see how it performs.
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